ARTICLES ABOUT CHUCK BEDNARIK BY DATE - PAGE 3

NO ONE LIVES forever, but some would say that the closest thing to immortality for sports heroes is to have their likeness cast in bronze. Less than a month ago, a statue of former middleweight champion Joey Giardello was unveiled in South Philadelphia. The next legendary Philly athlete to be so honored is likely to be Penn and Eagles great Chuck Bednarik, a former center and linebacker who is called the last of the 60-minute men. If and when the necessary money is raised and the oft-discussed project is completed, the Bednarik statue would be placed at Franklin Field as the centerpiece of a proposed sports museum that includes a large mural that pays tribute not only to the Quakers' football past, but to the days when the Eagles also called the 116-year-old stadium their home.

HAD A call the other day from a reader asking about Chuck Bednarik. The guy, who didn't identify himself, just wanted to pass along a note to Bednarik, who had a recent hospital stay after experiencing shortness of breath and feeling faint. Bednarik has much of his strength back, says son-in-law Ken Safarowic, and appreciates all the well-wishes he's received. If you'd like to pass along a note to Bednarik, send it to us here at the Daily News and we'll make sure he gets it. Our address: Daily News Sports Dept., c/o Chuck Bednarik, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.

Chuck Bednarik was released from St. Luke's Hospital near Bethlehem, Pa., on Tuesday night, a hospital spokesman confirmed Wednesday. The Eagles great was admitted after suffering shortness of breath last Tuesday. On Monday, Bednarik's son-in-law Ken Safarowic said the 85-year-old had been cleared to return home after a battery of tests found no major problems. Safarowic said that Bednarik had begun walking, but may initially need the assistance of a walker. A message left with Safarowic, who has been acting as spokesman for the Bednarik family, was not returned on Wednesday.

Eagles legend Chuck Bednarik is expected to remain in a Lehigh Valley hospital for a few more days, according to his son-in-law, Ken Safarowic. Bednarik, 85, ate solid food yesterday and is continuing to undergo tests as doctors try to determine why he had shortness of breath and a drop in blood pressure and felt faint Tuesday. Safarowic had told the Daily News on Wednesday night that Bednarik has no ongoing conditions and he is "about as healthy as you can be at this stage" and doctors have determined his heart is OK. Safarowic reiterated that Bednarik is eager to get out of the hospital.

Eagles legend Chuck Bednarik, rushed to a Lehigh Valley hospital Tuesday when he began experiencing a shortage of breath, a drop in blood pressure and feeling faint, is conscious, communicating and is as "feisty as ever," according to his son-in-law, Ken Safarowic. Contrary to rumors that were swirling yesterday, Safarowic said Bednarik, 85, "did not have a heart attack and is not on life support. " "Those were some of the things I was getting hit with today," Safarowic said.

Never bump into a panda Pablo Sandoval, the once-gigantic Kung Fu Panda of the San Francisco Giants, took the hint over the winter and lost 38 pounds. Reportedly, he was amazed at the mobility he had regained. But he's still a load. Milwaukee's Chris Dickerson, running from second to third on Monday, collided with Sandoval, who was making a surprisingly adept move to his left for a batted ball. Both hit the ground. Sandoval got up after a few seconds, and homered off Mark Rogers two innings later.

Gabe DeSimone, Hugh MacDonough, and Tom Woodruff do not know one another. But all three men rose early in the morning on Dec. 26, 1960, grabbed their tickets, and made their way to Franklin Field for the NFL championship game between their beloved Eagles and the Green Bay Packers. With the Eagles and Packers set to play Sunday for just the third time in the NFL playoffs, the men this week recalled that first playoff matchup that featured Norm Van Brocklin, Tommy McDonald, and Chuck Bednarik; and Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, and Max McGee.

HONORING the 1960 Eagles on the eve of the season opener against the very franchise it defeated a half-century ago for the NFL championship was a classy tribute to the last Philadelphia squad to win an NFL title. For many older fans, saluting the surviving members of the only team to vanquish Vince Lombardi's juggernaut of the 1960s likely eased the frustration of 50 years that have seen more agony than ecstasy. And to cheer such legends as Tommy McDonald, Pete Retzlaff, Norm van Brocklin and Chuck Bednarik afforded a thrill for those too young to have enjoyed an Eagles championship firsthand.